Treatments Container

Campus Container

explore our CAMPUS

What's cool about our campus is that it's spread out over seven acres in Philadelphia's historic neighborhood of Germantown. The buildings are an eclectic mix of old and new, a unique look and feel more consistent with a college campus. With three gyms, three auditoriums, a student center, numerous open, green spaces and nine classroom buildings, it's a place worthy of adoration and exploration. The Meetinghouse, at the center of it all, provides a beautiful and spiritual focal point.

Values Container

The Pillars of A

Quaker Education

At GFS, students and teachers gather in Meeting for Worship once each week. This is a time for shared, silent contemplation. Anyone who feels moved to speak may rise and do so. It is a simple formula, and can be a remarkably powerful experience.In these days of constant connectivity, the ability and opportunity to sit in silence have special value. Meeting for Worship is a cornerstone of the GFS culture that many come to cherish throughout their lives.

Grid Container

speak the truth

We strive to deal fairly, equally and honestly with everyone. We aim to do as we say, reflecting our beliefs in our actions. even when it is inconvenient or challenging, we stand by our convictions, striving to lead lives of integrity.

Shine Together

We are all blessed with remarkable gifts. We are equally qualified to seek truth and to hear the voice of God. Every person deserves equal respect. For these reasons, we work against prejudice and discrimination and for equality.

stay connected

"Alone we can do little; together we can do so much."* We know there is strength in cooperation and wisdom to be found when many perspectives come together. We believe in the power of community.* The words of Helen Keller.

keep it simple

In every way we can, we try to minimize the distractions that can draw our attention from the important things in life. This means not becoming overwhelmed by the busyness of daily routine. It means seeking balance. It means embracing simplicity.

care for all

This planet we inhabit, the talents we've been given, the community of which we are a part- all hold remarkable value. We must be responsible, imaginative and proactive in protecting these gifts and caring for the world and people around us. We must exercise good stewardship.

promote peace

We believe each life is precious and unique. We stand against war and violence and work to eliminate their root causes, including ignorance, racism, hatred and oppression. We are committed to creating peace.

The benefit is a cabaret show headlined by one of Pig Iron's founding company members, Dito van Reigersberg, in his cabaret, drag alter ego: Martha Graham Cracker.

After meeting Dito van Reigersberg and hearing about the benefit, Michael approached Nathan Renner-Johnson, the Production and Facilities Manager at the theater about making this scenery the focus of his J-Term class. It seemed like a good match from the start. Pig Iron has a strong Quaker history; the founders met at Swarthmore College, and the company embraces non-hierarchical collaborative structure in their process.

So, the partnership began.

The company typically selects a fun theme gives the benefit performance a title with a pig pun. This year, the theme is Western and the pun is "This Town Ain't Pig Enough for the Both of Us."

Michael's students have been working with a team of theatre professionals, including designers, directors and performers, technical and production staff, and are bringing the set from first design conception to fruition. Not only are they engineering and constructing the set, but they'll soon have the unique opportunity (via a special field trip) to load it into the Trocadero Theatre in Center City, work with performers to technically program the show, then work as the backstage crew during the performance.

Nathan believes this is a great learning experience. "This event gives the students the opportunity to see the set go from drawing to realization all within a very short amount of time. It allows them to see how an event like this comes together from load-in to tech rehearsals to performance to load-out all in the span of a day. So, in general, it's a nice, quick, condensed version of the normal production process that they can see and participate in."

Michael says, "So far, everyone is loving it. And hopefully all the students will be involved in the whole day and night on the 27th."